smooth the way
idiom
: to make it easier to reach a conclusion, result, etc.
They smoothed the way for a quick end to the dispute.
Examples of smooth the way in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While details are not yet known, the agreement between the WGA and AMPTP on artificial intelligence may smooth the way for a pact between actors and the AMPTP.
—
Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2023
At least one family member does admit, though, jokingly or otherwise, that his being rich and famous did smooth the way for that being so easily acceptable.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Sep. 2023
To smooth the way, the White House worked out a three-way deal that involved the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Greece.
—Asli Aydintasbas, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2023
Experts say that would be a strong outcome and could smooth the way for the United Nations climate summit slated for November in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
—Lisa Friedman, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023
The city created a Retiree Protection Trust fund to prepare for that pension cliff and create what Jay Rising, chief financial officer for the city of Detroit, calls a ramp to smooth the way.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 29 June 2023
Maria and David Breaux were especially close, able to joke about the awful events in their lives and finding solace in two aunts who saw their intellect and tried to smooth the way.
—Corina Knoll, New York Times, 5 June 2023
China has also in the past released political dissidents ahead of major foreign leader visits to help smooth the way, though this was mostly before Xi took power.
—Mark Clifford, CNN, 3 Feb. 2022
Bensouda wrote that her office had taken steps to preserve evidence gathered in the preliminary investigation to smooth the way for a formal probe.
—Washington Post, 14 June 2021
Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2023
At least one family member does admit, though, jokingly or otherwise, that his being rich and famous did smooth the way for that being so easily acceptable.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Sep. 2023
To smooth the way, the White House worked out a three-way deal that involved the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Greece.
—Asli Aydintasbas, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2023
Experts say that would be a strong outcome and could smooth the way for the United Nations climate summit slated for November in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
—Lisa Friedman, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023
The city created a Retiree Protection Trust fund to prepare for that pension cliff and create what Jay Rising, chief financial officer for the city of Detroit, calls a ramp to smooth the way.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 29 June 2023
Maria and David Breaux were especially close, able to joke about the awful events in their lives and finding solace in two aunts who saw their intellect and tried to smooth the way.
—Corina Knoll, New York Times, 5 June 2023
China has also in the past released political dissidents ahead of major foreign leader visits to help smooth the way, though this was mostly before Xi took power.
—Mark Clifford, CNN, 3 Feb. 2022
Bensouda wrote that her office had taken steps to preserve evidence gathered in the preliminary investigation to smooth the way for a formal probe.
—Washington Post, 14 June 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smooth the way.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near smooth the way
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“Smooth the way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smooth%20the%20way. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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